University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Hockey Hands Out 2022-23 Team Awards
May 17, 2023 | Hockey
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts hockey recently named its team award winners for 2022-23, as voted on by the members of the squad and the coaching staff. Hockey East All-Star Ryan Ufko was selected as UMass' Most Valuable Player, freshman Michael Cameron was recognized as the team's Most Improved Player, graduate student Matt Koopman was chosen as the recipient of the Jack Canniff Unsung Hero Award, freshman Kenny Connors was tabbed the Rookie of the Year, assistant captain senior Jerry Harding earned the Minuteman Award and sophomore Ryan Lautenbach was honored with the Coaches Award.
Ufko garnered Most Valuable Player recognition after finishing his sophomore campaign third for the Minutemen in scoring with 24 points over 32 games on eight goals and 16 assists with four of his tallies coming on the power play. The Smithtown, New York, native led UMass in blocks with 48, as well. He finished tied for fourth in Hockey East in defenseman scoring and was named a Hockey East Second Team All-Star. In league play, Ufko tied for second for the Minutemen in points with 17 in 24 Hockey East contests on 6 goals and 11 assists with three power-play goals.
Cameron was selected as UMass' Most Improved Player after tying for second on the squad in goals with nine to go along with three assists for 12 points, appearing in 31 games during his freshman campaign. The Berwyn, Pennsylvania native had two power-play goals, one shorthanded tally and one game-tying goal to his credit in 2022-23.
Koopman was honored with the Jack Canniff Unsung Hero Award, which is presented to the UMass player recognized by his teammates to have contributed the most to the team without receiving the recognition that others have. After joining the Minutemen in 2022-23 as a graduate transfer from Providence, Koopman was one of four individuals to appear in all 35 games for UMass this past season. The Marblehead, Massachusetts native matched career best with five goals and also had four assists for nine points. He scored one shorthanded goal and one game winner, while blocking 22 shots.
Connors was tabbed the Minutemen's Rookie of the Year after earning a Hockey East All-Rookie Team nod at the end of his freshman campaign. A two-time Hockey East Rookie of the Week and the Hockey East Rookie of the Month for October, Connors finished 2022-23 second on the team in points (26), tied for second in goals (9) and second in assists (17) over 32 games. He logged three power-play goals, one shorthanded tally and two game winners, posting eight multi-point games with two multi-goal performances. The Glen Mills, Pennsylvania native finished tied for second on the team in points in Hockey East play with 17 over 24 contests and tied for the team lead in goals with six against league foes.
Harding received The Minuteman Award, which is given to the individual who best exemplifies UMass hockey's core values and team identity. The Canton, Massachusetts native played in a career-high 33 games and had career bests in points (6) and assists (5), while scoring one goal in 2022-23.
Lautenbach earned the Coaches Award for 2022-23 after appearing in 34 of 35 games and contributing 14 points on four goals and 10 assists with goal coming on the power play. The Brighton, Michigan native posted two multi-point games during his sophomore campaign.
Ufko garnered Most Valuable Player recognition after finishing his sophomore campaign third for the Minutemen in scoring with 24 points over 32 games on eight goals and 16 assists with four of his tallies coming on the power play. The Smithtown, New York, native led UMass in blocks with 48, as well. He finished tied for fourth in Hockey East in defenseman scoring and was named a Hockey East Second Team All-Star. In league play, Ufko tied for second for the Minutemen in points with 17 in 24 Hockey East contests on 6 goals and 11 assists with three power-play goals.
Cameron was selected as UMass' Most Improved Player after tying for second on the squad in goals with nine to go along with three assists for 12 points, appearing in 31 games during his freshman campaign. The Berwyn, Pennsylvania native had two power-play goals, one shorthanded tally and one game-tying goal to his credit in 2022-23.
Koopman was honored with the Jack Canniff Unsung Hero Award, which is presented to the UMass player recognized by his teammates to have contributed the most to the team without receiving the recognition that others have. After joining the Minutemen in 2022-23 as a graduate transfer from Providence, Koopman was one of four individuals to appear in all 35 games for UMass this past season. The Marblehead, Massachusetts native matched career best with five goals and also had four assists for nine points. He scored one shorthanded goal and one game winner, while blocking 22 shots.
Connors was tabbed the Minutemen's Rookie of the Year after earning a Hockey East All-Rookie Team nod at the end of his freshman campaign. A two-time Hockey East Rookie of the Week and the Hockey East Rookie of the Month for October, Connors finished 2022-23 second on the team in points (26), tied for second in goals (9) and second in assists (17) over 32 games. He logged three power-play goals, one shorthanded tally and two game winners, posting eight multi-point games with two multi-goal performances. The Glen Mills, Pennsylvania native finished tied for second on the team in points in Hockey East play with 17 over 24 contests and tied for the team lead in goals with six against league foes.
Harding received The Minuteman Award, which is given to the individual who best exemplifies UMass hockey's core values and team identity. The Canton, Massachusetts native played in a career-high 33 games and had career bests in points (6) and assists (5), while scoring one goal in 2022-23.
Lautenbach earned the Coaches Award for 2022-23 after appearing in 34 of 35 games and contributing 14 points on four goals and 10 assists with goal coming on the power play. The Brighton, Michigan native posted two multi-point games during his sophomore campaign.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Hockey
F
/ Hockey
F
/ Hockey
F
/ Hockey
F
/ Hockey
D
/ HockeyWhat happens whren a student-athlete starts breaking news?
Friday, May 08
NewMass Minute; Into the Offseason
Tuesday, May 05
NewMass Minute; Onto TD Garden
Tuesday, March 17
UMass IH | Broadcast Highlights vs Northeastern Hockey East QF | 03.14.26
Saturday, March 14